Debates of April 20th, 2026

Hélène Le Scelleur

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the words “sense of duty”, “tenacity” and “strength of character” are not enough to describe retired captain Hélène Le Scelleur.

She served with courage in the Canadian Armed Forces for 28 years, particularly in the Balkans and in Afghanistan, guided by a deep sense of duty. However, her dedication extends beyond her uniform. Today, she continues to serve in different ways. She is very outspoken about injustices, particularly at Veterans Affairs Canada and on the issue of the Presence in Absence monument.

She even had the courage to resign from the Women Veterans Council, despite the consequences, in order to remain true to her convictions. Today, she is pursuing doctoral studies with the same determination. Hélène Le Scelleur is a woman who keeps going even in the face of adversity, and she deserves our respect.

Annapolis Valley Hockey Teams

[Kody Blois, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Mr. Speaker, April is playoff hockey season, and it was great to see the Montreal Canadiens get off to a great start last night.

Closer to home, I want to recognize the tremendous success of two under-13 AAA hockey teams from the Annapolis Valley. The Valley Wild female under-13 and the Valley Jets male under-13 both won their respective provincial championships, earning them the right to represent Nova Scotia at the Atlantic championships this past weekend.

In Halifax, the Jets went 3-1 in round robin play, narrowly missing the gold medal game, but edged the Kings County Kings from P.E.I. to earn the Atlantic bronze.

In Cape Breton, at the Kehoe Forum, dedicated to girls' hockey, the Valley Wild went 5-0, beating Pownal 3-0 in the final to win the Atlantic championship. The Valley Wild finished the Atlantics with a dominating 18 goals for and only three goals against.

I find it impressive that the top male and female hockey teams at the under-13 level are from Nova Scotia.

I congratulate all the players, coaches and family members on a tremendous season that will not be soon forgotten.

Home Ownership

[Tako Van Popta, Conservative, Langley Township—Fraser Heights, BC]

Mr. Speaker, British Columbians are living with uncertainty about whether the homes they worked their whole lives to buy are truly theirs. Businesses are hearing from their commercial lenders that they cannot just assume that they can take their fee simple security to the bank.

Between the Cowichan Tribes decision and the Musqueam agreements, Liberal and NDP governments have cast doubt on fee simple private property rights for thousands of Canadians. Reconciliation matters, but it cannot be pursued through legal confusion. The Cowichan case may take years to reach the Supreme Court of Canada, leaving families and businesses in limbo.

The Liberals say they will appeal, but here is the problem: They had instructed their lawyers not to argue at trial that fee simple title supersedes all other titles and interests. Appeals are not do-overs, so how do they expect to win an appeal on arguments they are not entitled to raise? How are they going to restore confidence in home ownership and fee simple security, now that they have dropped the ball?

Ottawa Tool Library

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an incredible project in my riding, the Ottawa Tool Library.

This place functions like any other library, but instead of lending books, it lends tools. Whether someone is tackling a home renovation project or a creative project, or repairing something, this place makes it possible. Through repair cafés, workshops, a tinkering school and the Dr. Phil Tool Hospital, tools are given a second chance, and our community is reminded of the values of sustainability, sharing and helping one another.

I would especially like to thank Bettina Vollmerhausen and the many dedicated volunteers who teach people how to build something new, repair something old and discover skills they never knew they had. To everyone at the Ottawa Tool Library, I say thanks, and keep building.

Fuel Costs

[Jonathan Rowe, Conservative, Terra Nova—The Peninsulas, NL]

Mr. Speaker, not that long ago, the Liberal government had plans to bring fuel costs to over two dollars a litre. They said it was the only way for the world to go to net zero.

Conservatives stood up, and we listened to Canadians, who knew that the carbon tax was crippling our economy and driving up affordability. Long before Trump made it tougher to compete with American tariffs, we tariffed ourselves with a carbon tax, a tax that made it nearly impossible for any sector to compete in the global markets. Even a fisherman in Newfoundland and Labrador had to pay more for fuel to catch his lobster than a fisherman in Maine.

Our Conservative leader stood up for Canadians and explained that our oil and gas is the best substitute for the rising demand for coal in the world. The Liberals finally caved to our demands in a last-ditch effort to pander for votes. Thankfully, they have listened to us again, but their plan only takes away a fraction of the taxes for a fraction of the year.

National Tourism Week

[Patrick Weiler, Liberal, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has what the world wants to experience: stunning coastlines, dramatic mountains and natural beauty on a massive scale. From coast to coast to coast, it is not just landscapes; it is food, culture and distinct local experiences in every region. But what truly sets Canada apart is the spirit of its people: kind, welcoming and easy to connect with.

From Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, a strong tourism industry powers communities across our country. In West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, tourism is woven into the fabric of our life. Whistler's world-renowned mountains and the Sunshine Coast's stunning landscapes provide an unforgettable backdrop for visitors from across the globe.

Tourism is about more than just welcoming visitors. The industry helps support one in 10 Canadian jobs and contributes over $44 billion a year to Canada's economy. Coming off the best tourism year in our history, we realize that there is more to do for tourism to reach its full potential, and that is work for all members of the House to do together.

With that, I would like to wish all members a happy National Tourism Week.

The Economy

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian families are emerging from a long, hard winter, made even more difficult by a historic affordability crisis. Their hard-earned money is putting fewer groceries in their fridges and less gas in their tanks. A steady decline in purchasing power, driven by years of inflationary fiscal policy, is draining the economic backbone of our nation, leaving many Canadians unable to meet even the most basic of needs. We have had no new pipelines, no new trade deals, no repeal of anti-development laws and no progress on interprovincial trade barriers. Instead of piecemeal band-aids, Canadians need action that tackles the root causes of these crises. If we want to be affordable at home, safe at home and strong at home, we must make real change at home.

I urge the Prime Minister and his front bench to change course and work with Conservatives to deliver results, because we in this place can wait out a majority government, but struggling Canadians cannot.

World Immunization Week

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as we approach World Immunization Week, observed from April 24 to 30, I rise to highlight the vital importance of routine immunization, both here in Canada and around the world. Vaccines remain one of the most effective tools we have to protect children under the age of five from preventable and life-threatening diseases. Thanks to global immunization efforts, millions of lives have been saved and we are closer than ever to eradicating polio, a disease that once caused widespread paralysis and death. However, at a time when global health systems are under strain and international aid is declining, continued leadership and commitment are more important than ever.

In London West and across Canada, we know that strong communities are built on healthy foundations. Supporting immunization means investing in a safer and healthier future for children. I encourage all members of this House to recognize World Immunization Week and reaffirm our shared commitment to protecting the health of children everywhere around the world.

Government Priorities

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister spent the weekend repeating the same speech he has already given, and Canadians are still wondering when they will see results. He has the power to green-light major projects and build pipelines, but zero have been approved while keeping every anti-development law on the books.

Over a trillion dollars in net investment is now gone from the country, and a year past his own deadline, we have no deal, just fear and division without results. We have more speeches and more agreements to make agreements. There are no pipelines, no deal, no investment and no relief at the grocery store.

When does the Prime Minister stop auditioning for the job that he already has?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, I will help the member get off that clickbait and go through what we are doing in the provinces: $8 billion in Goose Bay, a new transmission line between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, a new wind farm in Nova Scotia, a new port in Montreal, a new SMR in Ontario, a new mine in Manitoba, multiple new mines in Saskatchewan, new CCUS in Alberta and a new pipeline in Alberta, new LNG in B.C. Maybe the Conservatives should get out of the clickbait.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, all of those things were announced, but not a single one of those things has been built.

I will give the member some new numbers from today. In March, Canada had the worst food inflation in the G7, not the second-worst, but the worst. Every G7 country faces the same global factors, yet Canadians are paying more than all of them. After years of deficit spending and higher taxes, Canadians now lead the G7 in household debt, housing costs and food inflation.

When will the Prime Minister stop giving the fancy speeches and bring down the cost of government so Canadians can afford to live?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, we acknowledge the challenges that we are seeing, but what a great list that was. I know it is Monday and the Conservatives want more good news, and I have some coming out of Washington. The International Monetary Fund just said that Canada has the strongest fiscal position in the G7 and the second-fastest growth in the G7, almost twice that of Germany and Japan. There is more good news. Our recruitment in the armed forces is at an all-time high. We will build in this country, and we are here for Canadians across this country.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, that is arrogance on display. The minister thinks that everything is going fine, but for everyone drawing a paycheque, feeding a family or paying a mortgage, the reality is much different.

Last month, the Prime Minister stood in this House and said, “Affordability is the best it has been in over a decade.” While we get the same speeches for four straight months and running, Canada has had the worst food inflation of all of our allies, and that, too, deserves a speech. On top of all of that, Canada has the highest household debt and the only shrinking economy in the G7.

If affordability is the best it has been in a decade, then I have one question: For whom?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, while this government has been focused on giving Canadians a boost today and a bridge to tomorrow, the opposition has been sticking spokes in the wheels of Canadians, whether it is affordable child care, building major projects, training skilled trades workers, making sure youth can afford post-secondary education or feeding kids at school. It does not matter what the support is; the Conservatives say no. They have no vision for this country, and no vision for Canadians.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in his latest amateur video, the Prime Minister is giving us the same old story, the same old promises, the same old staged performance and the same lack of results. Meanwhile, we have seen no pipelines, no trade agreements, fewer homes and a skyrocketing deficit. We do not need more speeches or more smoke and mirrors. We need results.

When will the Prime Minister deliver results?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade]

Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what our government is doing. We are creating economic benefits for Canadians across the country.

I thank my colleague for supporting Bill C-5 to once again build major projects in Canada. His province is home to some of the best examples of these projects in the country. Take, for example, Nouveau Monde Graphite, a major mine that is currently under development, or the start of construction at the Port of Montreal at Contrecoeur that was announced a week ago. Those projects are good news, and there is more to come.

Grocery Industry

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the daily reality for regular people, those watching us at home, as the Minister of Finance often says, is that we still have the worst food inflation of the G7.

The Prime Minister likes to talk about the global factors that are hiking up grocery costs. He is unable to say anything else. Liberals are trying to distract us, but the reality is made up of things we buy every day, like groceries.

Can the Prime Minister give us some specific facts about lowering the cost of food?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, that is right, we understand the situation that people are in.

Although he spoke of the International Monetary Fund, the member forgot to tell the people watching that the International Monetary Fund said last week that Canada's fiscal situation is the most robust of the G7. The International Monetary Fund says that Canada's economic growth is almost twice that of Japan or Germany.

The good news today is also that recruitment in the Canadian Armed Forces has hit record levels. We are building this country together, with Canadians. We are going to build a strong Canada, of which we can all be proud.

Government Priorities

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in his little video, the Prime Minister said that “hope is not a plan”.

Right now, his plan is to give up 74% of our exports to the United States in exchange for 4% with the Chinese communist regime. To me, that is pure madness.

He promised an agreement with Donald Trump before July 21, 2025. Absolutely nothing has been resolved and worse yet, tariffs have doubled and other tariffs have been added in the past 18 days.

The Prime Minister said to judge him by the cost of groceries. We now know that Canada is the worst country in the G7 when it comes to the price of groceries.

What does the Prime Minister plan to do to fix this situation and put money back in taxpayers' pockets?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade]

Mr. Speaker, our colleague is wondering what we are doing to improve the situation.

That is precisely what the Prime Minister has been working on since we won the election. It is about diversifying our markets with other reliable trade partners, once again undertaking major projects that are in Canada's national interest, and supporting industries and workers who are dealing with the unjustified and illegal U.S. tariffs.

I have good news. We are doing all three at the same time.

Steel and Aluminum Industry

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in a video, the Prime Minister told those hoping for a return to normalcy with the United States that “nostalgia is not a strategy”.

That is fine, but we have been waiting for his strategy for a year. Meanwhile, Washington has started taxing our steel- and aluminum-containing products on their total value. This is a disaster for hundreds of businesses and our resource processing sector.

Apart from calling them nostalgic, what does the Prime Minister plan to do for our businesses?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade]

Mr. Speaker, with all due respect to our colleague, the Prime Minister said that “nostalgia is not a strategy”. He is absolutely right.

The good news is that we have seen changes in international relations with the Americans. As I said a few moments ago, we are diversifying our markets with other reliable economic partners and building projects of national interest. We also recognize the importance of supporting our steel and aluminum workers and their industries, and we are doing exactly that at the same time.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister still has to deliver results.

Two things: First, the fact that he is describing our relationship with the U.S. as a weakness shows that the negotiations are not going well. Second, although the government is talking about economic diversification, 80% of our trade is with the U.S. and that cannot be redirected overnight. Meanwhile, some Quebec businesses have had to reduce shifts or close their doors since Washington began charging tariffs on the total value of our products.

Will the government help them before it is too late?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, we are doing both of those things.

As my colleague said, we have a trade relationship with the United States. I was in Washington last week to meet with the United States Secretary of the Treasury. We had an excellent discussion. Meanwhile, we are also diversifying our overseas exports, because we understand that if we want more stability and predictability, then we need to open our exports to all of the other countries in the world. Recently, we signed a series of agreements that make Canada the only G7 country that has free trade agreements with every other member of the G7. Canada is in an enviable position, and we will build this country together.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

Mr. Speaker, with the steel and aluminum tariffs imposed by Washington getting worse, it is hard to know exactly where the negotiations stand. The Prime Minister has little regard for Parliament. He is rarely available for interviews. Now we find out that he is just as tight-lipped about his consultations.

On Friday, the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec and the Manufacturiers et Exportateurs du Québec both complained that they are not being consulted as much as they once were. Even Jean Charest, an adviser to the Prime Minister on Canada-U.S. relations, is concerned that the process is getting too centralized.

Why is the Prime Minister against transparency?